Work in Borley Park area to begin this summer

It could take four to five years to complete infrastructure.

It could take four to five years to complete infrastructure.

May 26, 2006|SUE LOWE Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA -- Improvements to the Borley Park area will begin this summer and take as long as four to five years to complete. The city is planning to fix streets, install curbs and sidewalks, add storm sewers and improve water and sanitary sewers. The work to be done on East Borley Avenue and both sides of Lynn Street and Maplehurst Avenue north of Borley was discussed at a public meeting at City Hall Thursday night. The first maps of the area showed work on only one side of Lynn Street but plans now include both sides. Gary West, director of engineering for the city, said the first phase of the work will be on East Borley Avenue from Merrifield Avenue to Maplehurst Avenue. He said construction should begin there in September and be completed in November. Mayor Jeff Rea assured the approximately 50 residents in the audience that they won't be charged any more than their normal taxes for the work. "It won't happen overnight," Rea said. "When it's under construction some of you will be frustrated." Members of the city's redevelopment staff are also making a list of people who are interested in getting loans to rehabilitate their property. The city has also bought a half-acre piece of land on the north side of Borley and an acre-and-a-half piece of land on the south side of Borley from Jordan Motors Inc. and the late Jordan Kapson. A total of 11 First-Time Homebuyer Program homes will be built there. Rea said three to five houses will be built each year, starting this summer. He said a private developer has bought property on Jefferson Avenue and plans to begin making improvements there. "The desire is to clean up the whole corridor," Rea said. Staff writer Sue Lowe: slowe@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6557